Last week in Los Angeles, Architectural Digest editor-in-chief Margaret Russell hosted a cocktail party to celebrate the opening of the Bottega Veneta store on Melrose Place amongst a great mix of designers, architects, decorators and fashion industry figures. The new store features pre-fall, fall and a range of new home products.

Bottega Veneta store exterior

Notable guests included: interior decorator, Madeline Stuart; celebrity decorator Waldo Fernandez; actress Rhona Mitra; stylist Petra Flannery; fashion historian and owner of Decades, Cameron Silver; and designer Tommy Clements.

Margaret Russell and Madeline Stuart at Bottega Veneta's grand opening

The interior of the new 2,727 sf store was conceived and designed by creative director Tomas Maier around the idea of lightness and clean lines. This notion was explored conceptually through the use of new materials and finishes and the creation of new design elements. White frosted glass, transparent resin with imbedded mesh, white painted steel, white lacquered wood, and high pile felt create an exhibition-like space.

Waldo Fernandez, Margaret Russell and Tommy Clements at Bottega Veneta's grand-opening

“The new store presents the Bottega Veneta collection in a way that is unique to every other location,” said Maier. “Philosophically, Bottega Veneta is about individuality, and it is natural to not only indulge our customers with a neighborhood store, where the products have been selected especially to reflect the lifestyle of the client who lives and shops there, but to ensure we provide them with a luxurious environment that really is akin to its natural surroundings.”

“With the breadth of product, and the years of experience, we can effectively tailor how we approach our customers and here we have taken the opportunity to translucently showcase whatever it is they may desire, from tabletop to bags and accessories,” added Maier. “I’m pleased to be able to offer a more personalized shopping experience to our clients in Los Angeles and I hope they will enjoy this luminous new location.”